The Gloves Are Off :Nancy Pelosi

[cal04]

Today, I offered my eleventh privileged resolution to hold the Republican Rubber Stamp Congress accountable for its abuse of power and ethical lapses. And for the eleventh time, the Republicans voted to shut down debate on these issues. My friends, when an innocent man is accused of a crime, he works to clear his name. He does not do everything in his power to sweep that crime under the rug.

This latest move to cover up the truth killed my resolution to direct the Ethics Committee to immediately investigate the misconduct by Members of Congress and their staff connected to the criminal activity of convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Two high-ranking Republican Leadership staffers have already pled guilty, revealing what the Washington Post described as a "far-reaching criminal enterprise operating out of" the Republican Leader's office, "an enterprise that helped sway legislation, influence public policy, and enrich its main players." (The Washington Post, April 1, 2006)

Unfortunately, Congressman Tom Delay's friends and allies have dismantled the Congressional ethics process. They rewrote the bipartisan rules of the Ethics Committee, removed the Chairman and other Members on the Committee who refused to cooperate, and unilaterally fired non-partisan staff and attempted to replace them with key Republican staffers in supervisory positions. Pressure from Democrats and people like you forced the Republicans to rescind those changes. But the Ethics Committee still remains dormant and toothless, unable to do its job and severely shaking the nation's faith in the honor and competence of the U.S. House of Representatives.

By continually denying even a debate on my privileged resolutions, the Republicans in Congress are sending a loud and clear message to the American people. And that message is this: "We can do whatever we want. The rules and laws that govern you do not apply to us. You cannot stop us. You cannot punish us. And you cannot hold us accountable."

more
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/4/5/193015/8981

[longship]

1. Sock it to 'em, Nancy

Don't stop. The Repug facade is cracking. Slowly, but surely it is going to come tumbling down. But only if Democrats keep chipping away at it.

Recommended and :kick:ed.

[Disturbed]

3. The Rethug response?

"We don't need no stinkin' ethics."

[sendero]

2. Very Nice...

.... go get those Republican bastards!!

[AFFIRM]

4. Grateful yet scared ....

Once again we hear so much evidence of the Republican misuse of power. I am, as are many in this great nation of ours, grateful to finally "hear" opposition to this egregious culture of corruption. As you will remember, during the first few years of the current administration, nearly no one spoke out against this Republican 'Ring of Power.' Those who did, were so publicly humiliated that they often lost their very livelihood. I am reminded of The Dixie Chicks for some reason here.

It is with a great gratitude that I now hear the media openly willing to challenge this President and his cronies in Congress. It would indeed appear that an increasing majority of this nation is now beginning to open its eyes to see our current leadership for the sham that it is. However, it is with great fear that I view the upcoming elections in November. In this day and age of integrity challenged election results, how can we possibly be assured of seeing accurate responses of the public in any race? It matters not whether the truth be known by the public if their political responses are somehow gerrymandered by incumbents.

Preceding the 2000 election, national attention was focused on integrity of the chief executive as we had all been embarrassed by a Presidency that was rendered no longer effective because of having an affair in the oval office. In 2004, our attention was sneakily diverted to issues of gay marriage. I say sneakily because although not one member in the press was willing to stand up and address this foul play, the truth was, not one democratic incumbent or challenger had suggested the we nationally legalize gay marriage. It was indeed a diversion from allowing us to focus on the real issues that were beginning to plague the Republican Party.

Now here we are in 2006, seven months away, focusing on immigration issues that were solved years ago. What we are not seeing perhaps here, is the fact that ever since this President took office, these laws written in the 1990's have been less and less enforced. Thus giving the perception that they aren't working.

Every single democratic incumbent in both houses of Congress owes every citizen of this nation one thing over and above anything else at this grave hour. You owe us a national debate on our election system. Although I for one, am not suggesting an overhaul, it is indeed imperative that we have a verified, secured system of polling in place come November. A system that can reasonably guarantee us election results with integrity.



P.S. The above text is certainly not copy written so please feel free to repost this anywhere in which you believe it might be seen by the right eyes.

[cal04]

5. post to Pelosi: So you want to take the gloves off?

(snip)
For inspiration, go rent compilations of wrestlers Stone Cold Steve Austin and Mick Foley featuring their WWF
title runs. I am not joking. Because pro wrestling is all about theater and stage craft and that's where you need help in winning over the public. And Vince McMahon and the writing crew behind the scenes of the wrestling show did a magnificent job of building drama, taking anti-establishment under dogs like Austin and Foley and getting the crowds to chant their names. Pay attention to their interviews, their use of anecdotes and how they gesture to drive home
their points.

I'm not saying you need to drive a beer truck onto the floor of the House of Representatives and spray Tom Delay (although I'd pay big bucks for that on PPV) or to take a folding chair and smack it upside the head of Katherine Harris (although I'd love to see that too). But Americans love scrappers fighting for what they believe. And you need to give a figurative finger to the powers that be, the ones shutting down your debate.


People learn to despise those who take abuse without fighting back -- as unfair as that might be. People love to see others stick it to the man. And in this case, the man is the Republicans who control Congress. That's one of the reasons why when Harry Reid shut down the Senate invoking a little known Senate rule on national security, Americans loved it. Punndits railed against it. But that was the moment when Democrats began to rise in the polls. You want to show Americans that Democrats are strong on national security, you've got to fight against the bastards with every thing you've got.

OK, after you watch the tapes, I want you to put speaker after speaker on the floor at every opportunity to talk about the crimes of the Republican Party. No more playing quietly to get along hoping the Republicans can be reasoned with. They can't. And don't be afraid to make waves and don't worry about what the Beltway insiders will say. You focus on the damn prize. People love hungry challengers. And your challenge now is to clean the House. Don't let them shut you down quietly. Shut the House down on procedural votes and every other rule book trick. It's not like the Republicans have offered any worthwhile bills anyway and they aren't letting Democrats pass meaningful legislation.

more
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/4/5/212735/8096

[KharmaTrain]

6. It's Getting Brutal Over At Kos

:kick:

Nancy's getting a touch of "netroots" love...well deserved.